May 27, 2011

Baby Wearing

When I was pregnant with Caleb, I knew I was going to have to do something to help keep my hands free so I could chase after the other kids. I had been interested in baby slings/carriers/wraps when I was pregnant with Isaiah, but they scared me. Plus they aren't exactly cheap and I was afraid to spend the money and either hate it or not be able to figure it out. So it wasn't until a coworker gave me her Moby wrap that I tried them out. I loved the Moby! It was a little overwhelming at first when I unfolded the thing and the fabric just kept coming. I'm not exactly sure what I thought it was going to be, but it surprised me. I used it on a pretty regular basis and a month or so ago, I decided I needed something that wasn't so stretchy and had a bit more support. I thought I knew what I wanted, but I hadn't ever tried out any other carriers. I found that a lady in town sells baby carriers that I decided to try them out. She holds these babywearing demos and has people try out all the different types of carriers to see what you are the most comfortable with, and which works with your baby. I ended up with a long fabric wrap, a bali breeze. That's the pattern I got, too. It's very pretty I think. It's a big long piece of fabric, like the Moby, but there's no stretch. You can do all sorts of carries with it - it even comes with a cd to show you the different types and how to do it. I even got Isaiah up in it comfortably! I'm still learning but I love it! I actually figured out how to carry him on my back and he just loves it. I have to have Husband "spot" me to make sure I have the fabric stretched out nicely and that it's up high enough, but I'm getting better at it on my own. Tonight I got him in it on my back and he fell asleep. I know these things have been out there for a very long time, but I wish I would have discovered them when Jacob was little. I get all sorts of looks from people in town when I "wear" Caleb, because you really don't see too many people out with their baby in a wrap, especially on their back. Most people have their baby in a stroller, like what I always did, but it's really hard to push a stroller in the grass. Well, it's just easier to carry him then to push the stroller, I guess. I told Husband that with the way people look at me, like I'm some big hippie or very, very pale tribal woman, I think I might get me some birkenstocks, a long tied dyed dress and grow my hair out long and then go wearing Caleb around. Hey, I have to entertain myself somehow!

5 comments:

I wore my second child constantly in a HotSling -- we both loved it! So much easier to put her in there and have both hands free to chase my toddler son...

Not sure yet how I'm going to wear the twins -- right now only one likes to be in the sling, so I've been wearing one and carrying the other. Of course, they're only 6 weeks, so they're pretty light yet -- I won't be able to wear/carry for too much longer.

Love my Moby, too! I got a ton of stares, kids pointing in excitement, people doing doubletakes, LOTS of inquiries on where to buy one, etc.

One time I was stopped at the zoo when carrying my youngest and the woman said she was just so impressed because she couldn't figure her Moby out. YouTube has a ton of awesome How-To's for Moby and other carriers and it does take practice for some.

I am looking for an alternative to the adjustable fleece pouch I have because it's just too hot in the midwest...this time of year and for me & my youngest (he's a sweaty baby!). How is your wrap for the hot/cool factor? Is your wrap a quick assemble?

"An angel in the book of lifewrote down my babys birth,and whispered as she closed the book'Too Beautiful For Earth."

*Disclaimer*: this blog is in compliance with HIPPA. No, I'm not talking about you or your family. No names are used, stories are changed to protect the innocent and guilty, and quite frankly, I make things up. Seriously.

About Me

I'm a night shift L&D RN in a medium size hospital in the Midwest. I am also a mother of four children. Jacob followed by Clara, who arrived 14 months after her big brother. Three years later, we welcomed Isaiah. I became unexpectedly pregnant July 2009, but sadly that pregnancy ended in my first miscarriage at 11 weeks. Caleb, my little one who's always in a hurry, arrived at only 34 weeks Sept 2010. Our family is complete. I've had a wide range of OB experiences: from a vaginal birth, emergency c/s, scheduled delivery, preterm delivery, incomplete miscarriage and all of those fun medications used to stop preterm labor. This will be about my experiences as I stumble through motherhood, all mixed in with my experiences as a L&D RN, having been on both sides of the stirrups and surgeon's blade.